Gyroscope flying machine with oscillating wings



Nov. 10, 19,31. .1. DE KORWIN 1,831,655

GYROSCOPE FLYING MACHINE WITH OSCILLATING WINGS Filed Dec. 20. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 -Znvariforp Nov. 10,1931. J, DE OR N 1,831,655

GYROSCOPE FLYING MACHINE WITH OSCILLATING WINGS Filed Dec. 20. 1929 .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E n E j Nov. 10, 1931. .1. DE KORWIN 1,

GYROSCOPE FLYING MACHINE WITH OSCILLATING WINGS Filed Dec. 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 10, I931 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH DE KORWIN, 0F BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, ASSIIGNOR T0 KORWIN FLYER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIs GYROSCOIPE FLYING MACHINE WITH os'CILLArINe WINGS Application filed Deceinber 20, 1929, Serial NO. 415,484, and in France August 27, 1929.

an inclination, under the influence of motive traction, as in the autogyros.

These different systems all have disadvantages inherent in their very principles. The aeroplane cannot rise vertically. It cannot fly, that is, maintain itself in the air, except on condition that it can maintain a sufficient horizontal speed.

The same is true, though in a smaller degree, with the autogyro. As for the helicopter, the problem of its" stability does not seem to have been solved as yet. The motoric torque necessary to cause its propeller to rotate in a horizontal plane tends to cause the apparatus as a 'whole to rotate in the opposite direction, and this necessitates using several propellers, two at. least, rotating in opposite directions, in which case the stabilizing gyroscopic torques of the apparatus are nullified, and the apparatus no longer has anyv proper stability.

It is true that complicated devices for stabilizing the machines have been conceived, but these means are diflicult to make, and they depend upon the control of the pilot, who can be led into error by atmospheric surroundings. Moreover, -.in case the motor stops, these means likewise fail for lack of the power that is needed to operate'them.

The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is based on the same principle as the flight of birds. It can be considered to be a machine with reciprocating Wings, yet it embodies the advantages of the helicopter in this respect, that as the wings are set in movement the motion isfl circular, and flight can be sustained over a spot with out. any displacement of the center of gravity of the machine.

Furthermore, in this flying machine the supporting surfaces all-rotate in the same direction, thus creating a gyroscoplc momentuin which gives to the whole machine a I proper stability, which is maintained as long as the rotation is continued.

The machine utilizes aerodynamic surfaces which, in transverse section, have a known profile paraboloid and are designed in such a manner as to possible.

These surfaces are pivoted and each has imparted to it, through one of its ends, a free circular movement around a vertical axis, and at the same time that it receives, from any suitable motive force, an alternating verlgicgl movement of a predetermined ampli- One of the essential characteristics of this invention is that these surfaces, which constitute in effect two sets of propeller blades, one above the other, receive their rotation solely from their alternating vertical strokes imparted by their motor.,-

The result of this condition is that the apparatus as a whole is in no manner subject to the reaction of the momentum of rotation, and that, consequently, all the surfaces can rotate in the same direction, thereby producing a gyroscopic torque and insuring perfect stability to the flying machine.

give the best performance In order to produce rotation through the These movements of inclination can be produced automatically throughthe choice of the pivot points of the blades, or they can be controlled by a device forming part of the mechanism. In either case they can be sub ject to control of the pilot.

The attached drawings represent several flying machines constructed on the principle of the present invention.

Figure 1 represents in elevation, the assembled apparatus including a single group of wings.

' friction bearings, can turn Figure 2 shows the same in plan, with portions of two of the wings broken oif.

Figure 3 is a vertical axial section, showing the mechanism during the descent of the blades, and 7 indicating the aerodynamic forces developed thereby.

Figure 4 represents the angular position of a wing during the ascent.

Figures 5 and 6 represent, by front elevational and plan views, a modified application of the principle, in which are employed two groups of upper and lower wings arranged in multiple aspect.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of motion translating device used in Figures 5 and 6.

Figures 8 and 9 are, respectively, vertical sections in two planes at right angles to each other of means through which to impart, from each of the horizontal shafts of Figure 7, opposite oscillatory movements to the upper and lower groups of wings; and.

Figures 10 and 11 are, respectively, a side elevation with a portion of the fuselage in vertical section, and a top plan-.view with two blades broken away and a portion of the fuselage in horizontal section showing the application to the machine of an independent diri ble motor and propeller through means of which horizontal propulsion may be imparted to the machine.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the carrying surfaces A1, A2, A3, and A4 are mounted upon the tubes B1, B2, B3, and B4, respectively, which latter are fitted into the sockets C of the naves C1, C2. These naves, being mounted through means of antifreely around the sleeves D1, D2, which are, in turn, vertically slidable upon the column B. This column'E rests with its lower end within a cabin or fuselage F, where it is connected with wing-reciprocating mechanism operated by the motor G.

The whole machine, including the pilots cabin or fuselage, is supported by means appropriate to the medium upon which it is desired to have the machine alight, forinstance, a landing gear typified by the four small wheels H upon which the machine may travel.

The wing-reciprocating mechanism comprises, in addition to the motor G,- a speed reducer l and a crank shaft J of large dimensions with three cranks keyed at 180 apart.

The central crank has a connecting rod K \Bhich, inside the column, operates the slide The -two other cranks receive two connect-.

actuate the slide ing rods L1, L2, which The two slides D1, D2 thus receive similar movements but in reverse directions. They slide on the column E,.one ascending while the other one descends, and vice-versa.

The blades A1, A2, A3, A4, pivoted on the tubes B1 B2, B3, B4, each carry in their 'ble ones or, more practically,

.which' determines its horizontal M which, when the blade is center a roller cam or rolling path N, the position of which in relation to the slides D1, D2, can be fixed once and for all or be changed while running, at the choice of the pilot, by means of suitable flexible or rigid controls.

In Figure 3 the blade A is in its descending position, its pivoting on the tube B being plainly ahead of the center of its course. while its rear part rises and its roller M comes to bear against the rolling path N. In this position the aerodynamic reactions furnish, on the one hand, an upward force. 1 and, on the other hand, a horizontal force 2, and these tend to rotate the blade around the vertical column E.

It is evident that the intensity of the forces 1 and 2 depend upon the incidence of the wind relatively to the blade A, but this angle is changed if one changes the position of the rolling path N on which the roller M rests.

This feature makes possible the maneuvering of the apparatus in the following manner:

By means of distance controls, either flexiby means of pneumatic, hydraulic or electric controls, the pilot can displace the rolling ath N in relation to the slide B. For this purpose, the rolling path N is connected to the slide B at three points by means of connections 0 of variable length.

By acting simultaneously on the three connections, the pilot cancause the rolling path blades at different p0 ons of their revolution; that is to say, developing a greater supporting force on one side of the machine as compared with the other side andtending -to incline the column E away from the vertical. Thus the pilot is able to incline or straighten up the'machine at will, either longitudinally or laterally. Particularly is he able to give it in advance an inclination displacement, or, on the contrary, brakethis horizon- -.tal speed by inclining the machine rearwardly.

Figure 5 shows how the connecting rod K actuates the slide D through two diametricallly opposed slots made in the central column rods on which the nave in which the tube B is Figure 4 represents ascending stroke..,. In

C can freely attached.

this movement, the

This slide carries two 'sets'of connecting turn,

the blade during its blades of the wing take an incidence limited by the rollers M, or by any other suitable arrangement, and this incidence promotes rotation of the wing and the screwing of the blades into the air so that only slight resistance is encountered inthe upward movement of the wing.

As will be understood, the crank shaft J imparts opposite reciprocations to the wing groups through means of the connecting rod K leading to the upper group, and the two connecting rods L1,. L2 leading to the lower group. lVhen there are four groups of wings, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the engine G will impart rotation to the vertical shaft K1- ly, the upper outboard wing group Awl, A112 and lower outboard wing group A033, A004 on the one side in Figures 5 and 6, and the upper outboard group Ayl, A312 and lower outboard group A 1 3, A'3 4 on the other side in said figures.

' porting effort.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the machine in either of the forms herein illustrated may be provided with an independent engine through means of which to obtain more rapid horizontal propulsion than is obtainable bymerely inclining the rolling path N, as previously described. And this auxiliary engine with its propeller will preferably be so supported, for instance, upon the pivoting and trunnioning mounting S, that by manipulation of the handles T it may be traversed in a horizontal plane in a manner to develop very sudden changes in direction of flight, thereby rendering the machine very advantageous in warfare, as by reducing to a minimum the possibility of being shot down by anti-aircraft guns; the trunnioning of the mounting also permitting changes in angle of elevation or depression of the axis of the propeller in a manner to. assist greatly in changing the course of the machine in vertical planes.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the vertical reciprocating motion imparted to the blades causes a rotatory movement of these blades at the same time that it develops sup- On the other hand, as the blades are free to rotate around the vertical axle, they produce no torque tending to make the machine rotate. Finally, the support obtained through all the blades jointly, of which some rise while the others descend, is regular and constant.

' The rotating of all the blades in the same direction forms a gyroscope and maintains the stability of the apparatus.

In the application of the invention described above by way of example, the reciprocating movement is transmitted from the motor to the wings by means of a mechanical arrangement of rods and levers, but it would just as well be obtained through hydraulic or pneumatic transmission by means of pistons and cylinders in which the fluid plays the role of transmitting agent or by any other meansof transforming a continuous rotary movement into an alternating rectilinear movement. Every device accomplishing this end can be applied to the carrying out of the idea of the invention and falls within the scope of the same.

To recapitulate, the present invention contemplates a flying machine having autorotative reciprocating wings.

The vertical ascent is obtained through the alternating movement of aerodynamic surfaces pivoted in such a manner that the re- 'ciprocating movement produces-a rotatory molvement of the surfaces around a vertical ax e.

Two sets of blades moving vertically in opposite directions but rotating in the same direction. I

Movement is imparted to the wings by a I set of rods and levers operated by a motor or by any other mechanical means or any electric, hydraulic or pneumatic means.

Mechanicaldevices control the inclination of the blades in such a manner that air is encountered by the main surface of the blades in their downward strokes, but only by the edges of the blades in their u ward strokes.

The inclination of the bla. es during the descending movement can be varied and modified by the pilot during the flight, for the purpose of directing the machine or changing its speed, or both,

Automatic rotation of the blades during descent of the machine provides a slow and safe landing in case the motive power fails.

The movement of the wingsthrou h the air prevents accumulation of ice an snow and avoids adding to the weight of the machine while flying under bad weather conditions. a

I claim: g

1.- A flying machine having a wing reciprocating on an approximately-vetrical axis, and constructed with surfaces which,under such reciprocating movement react to develop rotation of the wing in a plane substantially perpendicular to said axis; said wing being supported with freedom to revolve in response to said reaction.

2. A flying machine having a wing recip rocating on a substantially vertical axis ap-- proximately perpendicular to the plane of.

n lop.

surfaces that react from each direction of such reciprocating movement to develop rotation of the'wing in the plane of the wing, and the wing being mounted with freedom to rotate under said reaction.

3. A flying machine having reciprocating wings pivotally mounted with freedom to present their edges to the air in their upward movement and present broad faces to the air in their downward movement, said wings being mounted so that they will also be free to move in a plane perpendicular to the direction of their reciprocating movement.

4. In a flying machine, reciprocating wings, pivotal supports for said wings permitting them to change their angles of incidence relatively to the air during their upward and downward movements, and means carrying said ivotal supports with freedom to rotate a out a vertical axis.

5. In a flying machine, reciprocating wings, pivotal supports for said wings permitting them to change their angles of incidence relatively to the air during their upward and downward movements, means carrying said pivotal supports with freedom to rotate about a vertical axis, and means limiting the pivotal action of the wings during their downward movement and to cause them to present their major faces to the air.

6. In a flying machine, reciprocating wings, pivotal supports for said wings permitting them to change their angles of incidence relatively to the air during their upward and downward movements, means carrying said pivotal supports with freedom to rotate about a vertical axis, and means limiting the pivotal action of the wings during their downward movement and to cause them to present their major faces to the air; the last-named means being adjusted to permit said major faces of the wings to assume an angle greater than a right angle to the direction of downward movement, and thereby develop a reaction in the wings which causes them to travel about the said vertical axis.

7. In a flying machine, a series of radial wing supports, means for imparting vertically reciprocating movement to said wing supports, wings pivotally mounted on said supports with freedom to yield under the reaction of the air and present their minor dimensions to the resistance of the air during upward movement of the wings, and

' means arresting the pivotal action of the wings during their downward movement and causing them to present their major faces during said downward movement; the lastnamed means being adjustable to change the angle of presentation of the wings.

8. A flying machine as described in claim 1. in which the Wing is composed of a plu-' rality of blades arranged approximately radially to the axis of reciprocation, and each movable under the reaction of reciprocation to the position which develops the reaction in the rotary direction.

9. A flying machine as described in claim 1, in which the wing comprises a plurality of blades arranged approxlmately radially to the axis of reciprocation of the wing, individually movable under the reaction of each direction of reciprocation to positions which present their surfaces at angles of incidence that develop the reaction in the rotary direction of the wing; the angle of incidence assumed by the blades during one direction of reciprocation being materlally less than in the other direction.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 5th day of December, 1929.

- JOSEPH DE KORWIN. 

